Aumentado defends P2.006T budget

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By Marlon Balmadrid   

QUEZON CITY – Rep. Erico Aumentado (Bohol, 2nd District) defended the P2.006- trillion General Appropriations Act (GAA) for 2013 during the 3rd and final reading of the ,measure saying that the budget is the lifeblood of the Aquino Government and the engine to propel the Philippines to economic development and progress.

Aumentado, Committee on Appropriations member and co-author of the budget measure stood after six congressmen sharply attacked the legislation asserting that it does not address the poverty situation and basic needs of the Filipino people.

The 2nd district solon said that the P39 billion conditional cash transfer benefits the poorest of the poor identified by the national household targeting system for poverty   reduction. He also said the huge outlays for social services such as for education, health, livelihood, DSWD’s KALAHI-CIDDS, Pamana and the government’s job generating projects address the concerns raised by the budget critics specially those coming from the party-list.

Aumentado disclosed that the implementation of the public works infrastructure projects, the Department of Agriculture’s farm to market roads and the irrigation projects of the National Irrigation Administration can pump-prime the economy and generate job opportunities.

He further said the resultant effect of pump priming the economy is that it could drive the Philippines’ Gross Domestic Product (GDP) upwards which could improve its investment grade rating by Standard and Poor and the International Monetary Fund, the global raters for investment of all countries.

He concluded that with the looming peace in Mindanao and Pres. Aquino’s initiative to attain the elusive peace in the country, as well as his popularity for the right path of governance, the Philippines positions itself among the emerging economic tigers of Asia.

The House approved the GAA 2013, and sent it to the Senate upon orders of Speaker Feliciano Belmonte Jr. to ensure the passage of the landmark legislation before the year ends.